Electric plug guide plate



N0V- l1, 1947. E. H. KNAusz ELECTRIC PLUG GUIDE PLATE Filed oct. 2e, 1945 Patented Nov. 11, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC PLUG GUIDE PLATE Edward H. Knausz, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application October 26, 1945, Serial No. 624,884

3 Claims.

This invention relates to electric plug receptacles, and more particularly to a cover plate for a baseboard receptacle.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved baseboard receptacle cover plate having guide means thereon for facilitating the insertion of an electric plug into its socket.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cover plate for baseboard receptacles, said cover plate having integrally formed guide structure for aiding in the location of the plug receptacle openings and for facilitating the insertion of an electric plug into said openings.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying draw-` ings, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevational View of a baseboard receptacle having a cover plate constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top View of the receptacle of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the receptacle of Figure l.

Referring to the drawings, II designates a dual electric plug receptacle formed with a pair of female socket elements I2, I2, each adapted to receive a conventional electric plug. Plug receptacle II is provided with a pair of laterally extending lug members I3, I3. Secured to lug members I3, I3 by screws I4, I4 is a cover plate I5 of molded plastic material or the like. Cover plate I5 is formed with dual pairs of openings longitudinally spaced from each other registering with the female socket elements I2, I2. Molded in plate I5 is a guide rib structure comprising a generally triangular vertical portion I6 located between the dual pairs of openings in the plate and a horizontal portion I'I located below and adjacent said openings, said horizontal portion merging with the lower end of vertical portion I6. The top surfaces I8, I8 of the horizontal portion I'I are flat and are located in a horizontal plane, while the lower surface I9 of said horizontal portion is smoothly rounded extending forwardly and laterally to the front and side edges of said top surfaces.

Vertical portion I6 and horizontal portion II define guide recesses adjacent the female socket elements I2, I2 for facilitating the location of said socket elements by the male plug members, especially in the dark, or in locations difficult 2 of access such as behind large articles of furniture. The triangular shape of vertical portion I6 provides clearance at the top portion of the cover plate, thereby facilitating the insertion of the plug members from above.

While a specific embodiment of a cover plate for a baseboard receptacle has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention other than as defined by the scope of the appended claims,

What is claimed is:

1. A cover plate for a baseboard receptacle comprising a body member having a plurality of pairs of openings longitudinally spaced from each other, each pair of openings being adapted to register with a female element of the receptacle, a first guide rib on said body member ar ranged between said pairs of openings, and a second guide rib on said body member arranged at right angles with respect to the first guide rib and merging with the base portion of the latter rib.

2. A cover plate for a baseboard receptacle comprising a body member formed with two pairs of openings, each pair of openings being adapted to register with a female socket element of the receptacle, a first guide rib formed in the body member between said openings, said first guide rib being generally triangular in shape, and a second guide rib formed in said body member at right angles to said first guide rib, said second guide rib underlying both of said openings `and merging with the base portion of said first rib.

3. The structure of claim 2, and wherein the top surfaces of said second rib are flat and horizontal and wherein the bottom surface of said second rib is smootly rounded extending forwardly and laterally to the front and side edges of said top surfaces thereof.

EDWARD H. KNAUSZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,012,875 Guett Aug. 27, 1935 2,179,197 Raymond Nov. 7, 1939 

